For those dependent on snow and ice for a livelihood, Wednesday was a soggy reminder of how little snow and cold weather Minnesota has had. The economic blow to local and out-state resorts is already adding up, with retailers also taking a huge hit.

Seventy-five years ago, the Johnson family set down roots in the floral business. It’s shop along Grand Avenue in St. Paul grew steadily. When the Internet came along in the mid-1990s, it truly blossomed. The Johnson’s soon discovered the power of the Google search engine.

With all the weapons retailers have to try to get our money, it’s hard to imagine that a penny has much of a pull. Yet, check the prices: $9.99, $19.99, $99.99. The 9 is ubiquitous. So, why do so many prices end in 99, and does the one penny really make that much of a difference?

Monday’s snow just makes the streets, yards and everywhere else that much harder to deal with — creating a pile of pain for some Minnesota cities. However, there are businesses that do not have mutual feelings.